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Woman affected by suicide talks local prevention resources

The suicide of actor Robin Williams has caused many to reconsider the dangers of depression.

David Williams, First Coast News 6:52 p.m. EDT August 12, 2014

Resources available to you if you or someone you love or know is contemplating suicide.

A woman lays down items at a makeshift memorial for Robin Williams in front of Carolines on Broadway comedy club on August 12, 2014 in New York City. Williams died after hanging himslef on August 11, 2014 at his home in Tiburon, California.(Photo: Michael Loccisano Getty Images)

Gloria Vinson knows the pain a suicide can leave behind. She still wears her wedding ring as a reminder.

"Because I feel I'm still married to him," she said.

As much as it hurts to remember, she'll tell you about the pain

"It's unexplainable," She said as she choked back tears. "Suicide is a tragedy that triples the pain of any other tragedy."

Her husband, Jimmy, a family man, took his own life in September 2013.

"I knew he was suffering from depression, but I had no clue it was to that extreme," she said.

Prior to actor/comedian Robin Williams' death, she has worked with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

"To try prevent a family from going through the pain that we're going through," she said.

Gloria Vinson and her husband, Jimmy.(Photo: Gloria Vinson)

If you call 2-1-1, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from most of Northeast Florida, it goes to the United Way's 24-hour call center for immediate help with crisis intervention and suicide prevention. Every suicide call takes priority. Specially trained call center workers go through a process and procedure to try to help every person who calls about suicide.

"If they're calling in and they want help, we're going to get them help. We're going to explain there's going to be a mental health counselor coming to your door or if there's a law enforcement officer, we're going to explain that to them so they're prepared," said Robert Arnold, Director of the United Way's 211.

In the last fiscal year, they took in 1,596 calls relating to suicide, which is about the same as the year before.

"It's OK to call," he said. "There are people out there that can help you."